THE RESULT: Dalton Smith proclaims himself on the world scene knocking out the robust Mexican Jose Zepeda with a physique shot within the fifth spherical.
KEY MOMENTS: Zepeda began confidently within the opening spherical. The 34-year-old was the hunter and adopted the 27-year-old Smith across the ring winging in some massive hooks. A pinpoint correct one-two from Smith in spherical two, nevertheless, settled him down in entrance of his dwelling followers on the Utilita Arena in Sheffield. From the third session onwards Zepeda fired warning photographs, however Smith’s reflexes have been on excessive alert and within the fifth spherical a proper hand landed straight into the mid-section of Zepeda to finish the competition.
RECORDS: Dalton Smith’s unbeaten file now reaches 16-0 (12 KOs). Jose Zepeda, who had talked of retirement if he had misplaced, strikes to, 37-5 (28 KOs).
TALKING POINT: Zepeda had been crushed 4 instances up to now, however none have been delivered so emphatically. This is a press release win from Dalton Smith and one which marks him down as a world-class contender within the 10-stone division.
QUOTABLE: “A lot of people thought this was too soon for me and I had a couple of dreams where I got knocked out and that’s what made me train harder,” Smith advised DAZN having paid tribute to Zepeda beforehand. “I showed where I belong tonight. I do my talking in the ring and I done exactly that tonight.”
Discussing the knockout end Smith mentioned, “I was hitting with him some clean shots and I remember thinking he’s not budging. I caught him with an uppercut that stunned him a little bit and I thought I know I can hurt you.”
In an uncharacteristic transfer Smith then known as out his greatest home rival at 140lbs. “I don’t call many names out, but I’ve got one name. Adam Azim, where you at? There’s one reason why Adam hasn’t vacated that (European super-lightweight) title and that’s because he thought I was going to lose tonight. I bet he vacates now.”
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Purse bids are due for the Azim-Smith European title battle on April 3 however will Azim, promoted by Ben Shalom, go forward, or vacate? Smith has made it clear he needs that belt and now the ball could be very a lot in Azim’s courtroom. Zepeda hinted at retirement if he have been to lose to Smith and may that now be the case the Mexican would grasp the gloves up on a 42-fight profession which began on Christmas Day in 2009.
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